Week 7 is in the books and now we look ahead to Week 8 with midweek action in full swing throughout the month of October. This season, the 10-team Conference USA will feature an 8-game conference schedule with the top two teams at the end of the regular season meeting for the league’s championship.
Here are our updated power rankings for CUSA, and we will be updating these weekly during the season.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of ESPN FPI. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Liberty (5-1, 2-0) #64
no change
Previous: Bye
Liberty didn’t play this past week, but nobody did enough to knock the Flames off the top spot. They’ve won five straight and have allowed just 17 points in two conference games. The defense has been outstanding, and the Flames remain in the driver’s seat in the conference race. Their next test will be whether they can maintain that momentum coming out of the bye.
Next up: Thursday, Oct. 22 at Kennesaw State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
2. Jacksonville State (5-2, 3-0) #97
no change
Previous: W, vs FIU 27-24
The Gamecocks keep winning, and that’s what matters most. Jax State rallied past FIU, 27-24, on a late field goal, remaining unbeaten in conference play. QB Caden Creel continues to give the offense a dangerous dual-threat dimension. The defense still has questions to answer, but the Gamecocks are firmly in the championship conversation.
Next up: Bye
3. FIU (3-3, 1-1) #103
no change
Previous: L, at Jacksonville State 27-24
FIU gave Jax State all it could handle on the road, but it came up short in a 27-24 loss. The Panthers have a defense capable of keeping them competitive against anyone in the league, and their offense showed signs of life in this one. Still, close losses count the same in the standings. FIU needs to turn competitive performances into wins to remain a serious contender.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 20 vs Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
4. Western Kentucky (3-4, 2-1) #110
2
Previous: W, at Western Kentucky 16-3
WKU has won two straight after a 16-3 road victory over Sam H Houston. The Hilltoppers’ defense delivered another strong performance, limiting the Bearkats to a field goal. Their overall record remains a concern, but two consecutive conference wins have changed the outlook. WKU is back in the mix for a top two finish.
Next up: Bye
5. New Mexico State (2-4, 1-1) #116
no change
Previous: Bye
The Aggies were idle, leaving them watching several conference rivals make moves. Their win over WKU remains an important result, but the 22-3 loss at FIU showed the inconsistency that continues to hold them back. NMSU has enough defensive ability to compete, but the offense must become more reliable if the Aggies want to challenge the teams above them.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Sam Houston, 8 p.m., ESPN2
6. Middle Tennessee (3-3, 1-1) #130
2
Previous: W, vs Delaware 33-30
MTSU finally got its first conference win, outlasting Delaware in a game featuring seven lead changes. QB Roman Gagliano threw for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter. The Blue Raiders have now matched their 2025 win total, and this offense gives them a chance to climb further.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 20 at FIU, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
7. Missouri State (2-4, 1-1) #123
3
Previous: W, vs Kennesaw State 24-21
Missouri State answered its loss to WKU with a 24-21 win over Kennesaw State. The Bears were far from dominant, but they go to the result they needed in a matchup between teams searching for their first conference victory. That win gives them some breathing room near the bottom of the rankings, though the defense still needs to show greater consistency.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 20 at De;aware, 7 p.m., ESPNU
8. Kennesaw State (1-5, 0-2) #109
4
Previous: L, at Missouri State 24-21
The Owls followed a narrow loss to Jacksonville State with another one-score defeat, falling 24-21 at Missouri State. The offense has shown improvement, including 411 total yards against Jax State, but that progress hasn’t translated into wins. Kennesaw State needs to find a way to finish games before it falls further behind in the conference race.
Next up: Thursday, Oct. 22 vs Liberty, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
9. Delaware (2-4, 0-2) #120
2
Previous: L, at Middle Tennessee 33-30
Delaware’s third straight loss was another painful one. The Blue Hens scored 30 points at Middle Tennessee with freshman quarterback Tyler Bell throwing for 306 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start, but the defense couldn’t make the necessary stops. The offensive potential is encouraging, but Delaware is running out of room to recover in the conference standings.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 20 vs Missouri State, 7 p.m., ESPNU
10. Sam Houston (1-5, 0-2) #127
1
Previous: L, vs Western Kentucky 16-3
Sam Houston’s offense remains a major concern. After scoring just three points against Liberty, the Bearkats managed only three more in a 16-3 loss to WKU. The defense kept the game within reach, but the offense couldn’t capitalize. Until the Bearkats find a way to generate points consistently, it’s difficult to make a case for moving them out of last place.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 21 vs New Mexico State, 8 p.m., ESPN2
